Keeping Warm in Cold Weather

In the current cold weather it can be difficult to get warm and stay warm.  Here's some tips to help you keep the cold away.

Ward off those winter chills in the home;

• Keep your house at at least 18C (65F) all the time - during the day you might be more comfortable a little warmer -use your thermostats to keep the room you use the most at a comfortable temperature for you instead of heating the whole house.
• Draw curtains at dusk and close all your internal doors to keep draughts at bay. 
• Use draft excluders and draft tape if needed.  If you have a particularly drafty door, try putting a scarf across the bottom to minimise draughts - or roll up a towel to do the same job.
• Get a keyhole cover (yes that is really a thing!) to keep out draughts - or press some bluetack or a sticker lightly over the keyhole to minimise draughts.
• Have your heating system serviced and chimney swept regularly. 
• Check your water stopcock is working properly.
• Always check the local weather forecast so you can prepare accordingly. 
• You could fit a grab rail to outdoor areas for support in case of Icy surfaces.  Fitting them to where you have external steps would be ideal. 
• Fit thermal linings to your curtains if you can – this will also help to keep the heat in.
• Check out the benefits and grants available to help with insulation and energy efficiency, such as cavity wall insulation (see the section below on Help with Heating costs)

Sitting at Home

• Put a hot water bottle on your lap to keep the blood warm on the way to your feet
• If you’re sitting down, a shawl or blanket will provide extra warmth.Try wrapping a blanket around your legs to keep your lower body warm.  A blanket or shawl around your shoulders helps your upper body stay warm.
• You should also try to keep your feet up, because air is cooler at ground level.
• Try not to sit still for more than an hour or so indoors – get up and stretch your legs
• Have at least 1 hot meal a day – eating regularly helps keep you warm; and make sure you have hot drinks regularly
• You can feel a lot colder if your neck is exposed - if you are chilly indoors try wearing a scarf, and if you are really cold wear a hat!
• Fingerless gloves can keep your hands and fingers surprisingly warm and you can still use your hands as usual.  If you can't find any, a thick pair of socks with the toe cut off and a thumb hole cut in the heel work just as well!
• For those cold toes, remember to put thick socks on and preferably slippers too.
• Wearing thin layers during the day is better than wearing one thick layer - add a cardigan, sweater, thermal vest or even your dressing gown!

Keeping warm in Bed

• Wear warm clothes in bed. When it’s really cold, wear thermal underwear, bed socks and even a hat.
• Keep your bedroom at a minimum of 18C bedroom overnight, and keep the windows closed to keep the heat in.
• Use a hot water bottle or electric blanket to keep warm in bed – but don't use both at the same time as that can be dangerous - always read the instructions when using electrical goods

Out and About

• Find out if you can get the flu jab for free on the NHS
• Wear several thin layers of clothes rather than 1 chunky layer – clothes made from cotton, wool or fleecy fibres help to maintain body heat and layers help trap warm warm air close to the body
• Stay active – even moderate exercise can help keep you warm
• Wrap a scarf loosely around your mouth when outdoors – add a hat to keep your ears warm
• If you have a heart or respiratory problem, stay indoors during very cold weather
• Don’t stand outside for long periods of time, as you can quickly get a chill.

Walking in Winter Weather

• Wear shoes with a good grip - no smooth soles!  Wellies, if you have them, are very good with thick socks, or walking boots.  You could even buy some of those 'over shoe' ice grippers to give you extra confidence in icy weather.
• Take your lead from the penguin. On slippery, compact snow and ice, take short, careful, flat-footed little steps, spreading your body weight as evenly as possible across the entire surface of your feet.
• In fresh snow, try to walk in someone else’s footsteps. Not only will you use up less energy, but their shoes will have left a tread mark which will be easier for your feet to grip
• And on deeper snow, always walk heel to toe. Applying your heel first will create a hole, which helps prevent your foot slipping forward
• If you do slip and feel your self falling, try and protect yourself with your hands.  This should prevent you from falling on and damaging your hip - which can break easily in older people.  Using your hands might put you at risk of a wrist fracture, but this injury is far easier to treat and heals a lot quicker than a broken hip!

Help with heating costs

You may be able to claim financial and practical help with heating your home. Grants available include the Winter Fuel Payment and the Cold Weather Payment.

For more information on cold weather benefits and the other help available, read the section on financial help to heat your home in the Keep Warm, Keep Well leaflet.

The Energy Saving Trust has advice on how to reduce bills and make your home more energy efficient. They can also advise on grants and schemes available around the UK.

Find out more online from the Energy Saving Trust.